At Harbinger Gospel Church, we do not dwell on the doctrines that divide us, but on the Savior who unites us. We embrace the diversity of faith that has enriched the church for two millennia, and we anchor our theology in the glorious mystery of Christ’s incarnation, atonement, resurrection, and ascension (The Apostle’s Creed). We follow Him as our Lord and Master, taking up our crosses daily with joy and gratitude. We hold our personal convictions with humility and grace, knowing that in Jesus alone we find the most complete and authoritative revelation of objective truth.
As we seek this spirit of unity and humility, we also recognize the importance of having clear guiding principles that define our community. Therefore, while we celebrate the broad spectrum of Christian faith and practice, we have identified a set of core distinctives that shape our identity and mission as Harbinger Gospel Church. These distinctives are not meant to create barriers but to clarify our path as we journey together in faith. Here are the key distinctives that guide us:
Essential Doctrine (Our Reimagining of the Apostle’s Creed)
In the Beginning: God, Word, and Creation
“In the beginning was the Word” (John 1:1), and “God spoke, creating the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). All Scripture, breathed by the Divine, guides us to truth (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Imago Dei: Humanity’s Divine Reflection
Crafted in God’s own image (Genesis 1:27), every soul mirrors His divinity. In Christ, all distinctions vanish, and we stand equal (Galatians 3:28), united beyond race, embracing all ethnicities in reconciliation and love.
The Holy Spirit: Breath of God
The Spirit, like a wind, unseen yet felt, empowers and guides (John 14:26). He calls us to be witnesses “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8), transcending barriers and uniting diverse peoples.
Jesus Christ: The Incarnation of Hope
God’s eternal Word took flesh (John 1:14). Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:35), embodied love and grace, establishing the Kingdom, healing the broken (Luke 4:18-19).
The Crucifixion: Love’s Ultimate Sacrifice
On the cross, Jesus bore our sins (Isaiah 53:5). In death, Jesus’ body was laid in a borrowed tomb (John 19:38-42), His spirit entered the abyss (1 Peter 3:18-19).
Resurrection and Ascension: Death Defeated
On the third day, the stone rolled away, revealing Jesus’ victory over death (Luke 24:6-7). Ascending, Christ opened the path to eternity (Acts 1:9).
The Great Commission: Call to Discipleship
Commissioned by the risen Christ, we are sent forth as His disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Charged to “go and make disciples of all nations,” we baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching obedience to His commandments. This sacred mission unites us in purpose, propelling the message of redemption to every corner of the world, a manifestation of His love and sovereignty.
The Second Coming: Hope’s Horizon
As He ascended, so shall He return (Acts 1:11), a promise of hope and restoration, a future where every tear is wiped away (Revelation 21:4).
Eternal Life: The Shepherd’s Promise
To His sheep, the Good Shepherd grants life everlasting (John 10:27-28), a gift unearned, a grace unbounded.